Shettima returns to Nigeria after BRICS summit in India

Vice President Kashim Shettima has returned to Nigeria after representing President Bola Tinubu at the 18th BRICS Leaders’ Summit in New Delhi, India.

Shettima’s visit featured high-level engagements focused on strengthening Nigeria’s economic and diplomatic relations, particularly with India, as well as expanding opportunities in trade, investment and technology.

During the visit, the Vice President met Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, with both leaders discussing renewed crude oil trade and cooperation in pharmaceuticals, defence, digital technology, fintech, renewable energy and other strategic sectors.

Shettima also met with the Director-General of the World Trade Organisation (WTO), Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, where he reaffirmed Nigeria’s support for multilateralism and efforts to promote a more inclusive global economic order.

At the BRICS summit, Shettima delivered Tinubu’s message calling for reforms to global governance and international financial institutions.

He also positioned Nigeria as a gateway to Africa’s growing market under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).

Nigeria further used the summit to strengthen engagement with BRICS member and partner countries in areas including agriculture, artificial intelligence, digital infrastructure, manufacturing, healthcare, energy and human capital development.